Hillsborough County Students Awarded ‘Athlete of the Week’ Honors by Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Hillsborough and TBT Students Awarded ‘Athlete of the Week’ Awards by Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Tampa, Fl. – April 9, 2019 – Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) is honored to announce Prince James and Cassidy Kidder, from Tampa Bay Technical High School and Cambridge Christian School respectively, as the ‘Athletes of the Week’ for the week ending April 12th, 2019.

A junior soccer player at Tampa Bay Tech, Prince James, was nominated by the Boys’ Soccer head coach, Brandon Austin, for being a high-character student-athlete.

“While his athletic performance cannot be praised enough, I believe Prince’s true value to our program comes from the example he sets day in and day out.” Austin said. “The contributions he makes to this program and school cannot be understated. If you ask any player on our team about who works the hardest, sets the best examples for his team, or who inspires others by being a role model, you would get one resounding response. Prince James.”

As a life-long soccer addict, James has his sights set on continuing to play the sports he loves all the way at the professional level.

“I started playing soccer when I was six years old and have never stopped,” James said. “My dream has always been to become a professional player. The more I travel and gain experience, the better it helps me to get feedback on all that I need to work on. I strive to do my best and take constructive criticism to improve myself.”

Kidder, a Cambridge Christian soccer player in her junior year, was nominated by the Girls’ Soccer head coach, John Mendoza, for her commitment and selfless attitude towards her team.

“Cassie has been on the varsity soccer team since the seventh grade,” Mendoza said. “She recently broke the all-time assist record of 49. After breaking that record, she gave all the praise to her teammates that have helped her get to where she is today.”

Since beginning her Cambridge soccer career, Kidder and her team have fought hard for a shot at winning the District Championship. After giving it their all in the Semi-Finals the Cambridge Christian team came close, but have high hopes for next season.

“The team we lost to was a tough one,” Kidder said. “It is a team that we struggle with each year. We will need to overcome the hurdle of thinking they will beat us. It’s a mind game we need to get past. As a team captain, I will try to motivate my team and lead by example. I will work my hardest on the field. I will continue to have the faith that we can do it.”

Through struggles and hardships, both Kidder and James remember to take deep breaths and to not forget the ones around you.

“Give all the glory to God,” Kidder said. “Always be humble and kind. Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

James finished with, “Follow your dreams. Set goals and take one step at a time. Achieve smaller goals until you reach your final one.”

Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s Athlete of the Week campaign is designed to focus on student-athletes, recognizing them for their hard work and dedication both on and off the field. The Athlete of the Week award can be earned by displaying one of the following characteristics:

Team Player: Athletes who are nominated for excellence in team play are chosen by a coach who feels the athlete does his or her best to put direction into action, makes a significant contribution to the team and continuously works to improve his or her skills, attitude and training.

Leadership: Athletes who earn the award in recognition of excellent leadership must exemplify strong relationship building skills, show excellent initiative and serve as role models for his or her peers.

Founded in 1989, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is Florida’s largest orthopedic group and provides expertise and treatment of orthopedic-related injuries and conditions, including adult reconstruction and arthritis, chiropractic services, foot and ankle, general orthopedics, hand and wrist, interventional spine, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopedic trauma, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, shoulder and elbow, spine and chiropractic services, among others. The organization treats patients throughout its surgery centers in North Tampa and Citrus Park, two orthopaedic urgent care centers in South Tampa and Brandon, and 9 office locations in Bloomingdale, Brandon, Citrus Park, North Tampa, Northdale, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Sun City Center and Wesley Chapel. For more information, please visit: FloridaOrtho.com and ‘like’ us on Facebook: facebook.com/Florida.Orthopaedic.Institute.